The rapid increase in space activities, particularly the surge in satellite launches, has raised new challenges around sustainability in space. Deimos, a European leader in space technology, is addressing these challenges head-on through the European Space Agency’s (ESA) DRACO (Destructive Re-entry Assessment Container Object) mission, set to launch in 2026. This pioneering mission will be the world’s first demonstration of a controlled satellite breakup process and provide critical data to advance space sustainability practices.
The DRACO mission directly supports ESA’s ambitious Zero Debris approach, which aims to eliminate space debris from Earth and lunar orbits by 2030. Deimos, awarded a 17 million euro contract to lead DRACO, will oversee the mission’s development and execution. The Space Impulse team had the opportunity to sit down with Simone Centuori, CEO of Deimos, where he shared his perspective on DRACO’s importance and how it will shape the future of satellite design and debris mitigation efforts.
A Controlled Re-entry for a Safer Space Environment
The core objective of the DRACO mission is to provide unprecedented insights into the satellite re-entry process by monitoring the destructive breakup of a satellite as it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Centuori explained, “DRACO will be the first mission to offer real data on how satellites break apart during re-entry. This will allow us to understand in detail how structures fail, how materials burn, and ultimately how to design satellites that fully disintegrate in a controlled manner.”
For decades, the space industry has relied on theoretical models and ground-based testing to predict satellite demise during re-entry. DRACO will fill the gap by collecting in-flight data via an onboard data collection capsule, ensuring future satellites can be designed for safe and complete burn-up. This data will help refine current re-entry models, contributing to the ability to create satellites that pose no risk to people or infrastructure on Earth.
“Without real data, engineers must design based on worst-case scenarios, leading to oversized and overly redundant systems,” Centuori noted. “With DRACO, we can move away from excessive margins and design for what is truly needed—satellites that safely re-enter and completely burn up.”
Implications for the Future
The data from DRACO is expected to have far-reaching implications, not only for satellite design but also for international regulations governing space activities. Centuori hopes that DRACO will simplify the regulatory framework surrounding satellite re-entry by providing concrete data to inform more streamlined eco-design requirements.
Currently, many satellite operators must design based on overly cautious estimates, which adds cost and complexity. “Our goal is to collect data that will enable more straightforward satellite designs, using the right materials and structures to ensure safe re-entry without unnecessary redundancies,” Centuori explained.
With the increasing importance of space in global infrastructure—from telecommunications to the Internet of Things—ensuring that space remains accessible and safe is a priority for both the public and private sectors. Centuori stressed that space sustainability is essential for maintaining the standard of living on Earth. “Space accessibility is a responsibility for everyone. Our reliance on space technology will only increase, and it’s critical that we all commit to keeping space safe and sustainable for future generations.”
A Broader Role in Space Sustainability
While the DRACO mission represents a significant step toward sustainable satellite re-entry, Deimos’ approach to space sustainability extends far beyond this one mission. “For us, space sustainability isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s a core part of our mission,” Centuori emphasized. Deimos is actively involved in other areas, including active debris removal, in-orbit servicing, and extending the operational lifespan of satellites—all essential components of ensuring a sustainable space environment.
“DRACO is just one pillar in our overall debris mitigation approach,” Centuori explained. “While it addresses controlled re-entry, which is critical, we also have to deal with the debris that remains in orbit, the ‘zombies’ that no longer function but continue to pose risks.” These non-functional satellites and fragments of debris clutter the lower Earth orbit, and as Centuori puts it, “We cannot just wait for them to fall back naturally; we need active solutions.”
To tackle this issue, Deimos is involved in Europe’s first active debris removal mission. Centuori elaborated: “We are designing a full control system for a mission that will approach debris, synchronize with its motion, and capture it for safe deorbiting. This is another critical step in reducing space junk.”
Innovation in Technology – Reusability and Passive Debris Removal
The company is also investing in reusable systems to minimize space debris further. One of its key innovations is project ICARUS, dedicated to the development of an inflatable heat shield, which enables spacecraft and satellites to re-enter the atmosphere safely and be reused. Centuori explained that this system could revolutionize satellite recovery by allowing the recovery of valuable components like avionics and payloads, even making it possible to recover upper rocket stages that typically burn up during re-entry. “With this system, we can perform controlled re-entry and recover valuable components like avionics and payloads. It even opens the possibility of recovering upper stages of launchers, something that’s been very difficult because they typically burn up during re-entry,” Centuori shared.
Along with the heat shield, Deimos is exploring passive methods of debris reduction. Centuori pointed to tethers that allow satellites to be deorbited without the need for extra propellant, noting the importance of the technology for long-term sustainability: “These systems could be key to ensuring that satellites don’t remain in orbit indefinitely. By attaching a tether, we can speed up the process of re-entry, making it a more natural and environmentally friendly solution.”
Leveraging Tracking and Data for Space Sustainability
In addition to these engineering solutions, Deimos leverages its space debris tracking capabilities to provide crucial data on space debris movement and characteristics. With observatories in Spain, Chile, and the Canary Islands, Deimos tracks objects in orbit to predict their movements and provide data for mission planning. “Tracking space debris is a cornerstone of our sustainability work,” Centuori said. “We can monitor debris, assess risks, and provide the information needed to keep space missions safe and controlled.”
The Road Ahead for Deimos
Looking ahead, Deimos is focused on further integrating its sustainability goals into lunar and Mars exploration missions. The company’s expertise in space safety and mission design positions it well to support upcoming exploration efforts beyond Earth’s orbit. “The Moon will be a key focus in the short term,” Centuori shared, “and as traffic around the Moon increases, space sustainability will become even more critical.”
Deimos continues to expand its footprint in Europe, with a presence in Spain, Portugal, the UK, Romania, and Italy, but Centuori hinted at potential future growth as the global space market evolves. For now, Deimos remains committed to its goal of being a reliable, end-to-end small mission provider, offering tailored solutions without compromising on reliability.1In closing, Centuori highlighted the broader role of sustainability in shaping the future of space operations: “Sustainability isn’t just about space—it’s about society. If we forget about society in our business decisions, we risk a future that is less accessible and less safe. DRACO is just one step toward ensuring that the future of space benefits us all.
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